Exterior engineered fence system

ABSTRACT

A system for constructing a fence using engineered wood products, including, but not limited to, oriented-strand board (OSB), fiber strand, or laminated strand lumber. A plurality of fence sections extends between posts, with each fence section including a combination of one or more engineered wood panels or boards supported by top and bottom engineered boards, all of which may be weather-resistant, fungus resistant, insect resistant, or combinations thereof. A fence section has a top and bottom support boards with channels, with a center section forming a vertical panel or a plurality of vertically aligned boards extending between the top and bottom support boards, with the ends of the center section panel or boards fitting securely within the channels.

This application claims benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/546,529, filed Aug. 16, 2017, and is entitled to the benefit of that filing date. The entire specification, drawings, and disclosure of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/546,529 are incorporated herein by specific reference for all purposes.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system for an exterior fence comprising engineered wood components.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises a system for constructing a fence using engineered wood products, including, but not limited to, oriented-strand board (OSB), fiber strand, or laminated strand lumber. Engineered wood products provide the authentic look and appeal of real wood, but with the durability and workability of treated engineered wood, free of knots, voids and other defects found in natural wood. With the present invention, an improved fence can be assembled more quickly and cheaply than with any prior art materials.

In one exemplary embodiment, a plurality of fence sections extends between posts, with each fence section including a combination of one or more engineered wood panels or boards supported by top and bottom engineered boards, all of which may be weather-resistant, fungus resistant, insect resistant, or combinations thereof. A fence section has a top and bottom support boards with channels, with a center section forming a vertical panel or a plurality of vertically aligned boards extending between the top and bottom support boards, with the ends of the center section panel or boards fitting securely within the channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a single fence section mounted on posts.

FIG. 2 shows a not-to-scale cross-sectional view of a double layer fence section.

FIG. 3 shows a not-scale front view of a fence section without posts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

In various exemplary embodiments, the present invention comprises a system for constructing a fence using engineered wood products, including, but not limited to, oriented-strand board (OSB), fiber strand, or laminated strand lumber. Engineered wood products provide the authentic look and appeal of real wood, but with the durability and workability of treated engineered wood, free of knots, voids and other defects found in natural wood. With the present invention, an improved fence can be assembled more quickly and cheaply than with any prior art materials.

As seen in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention comprises a plurality of fence sections 10 extending between posts 2. Each fence section comprises a combination of one or more engineered wood panels or boards supported by top and bottom engineered boards, all of which may be weather-resistant, fungus resistant, insect resistant, or combinations thereof.

In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the posts 2 may be treated wood, metal or similar material, with each post covered by a post cover 4 composed in whole or in part of an engineered wood product. In the embodiment shown, the exterior of the post covers match or coordinate with the exteriors of the fence sections, although in other embodiments the post covers may contrast with the fence sections.

As seen in the cross-sectional view (not-to-scale) of FIG. 3, in one exemplary embodiment a fence section comprises top 12 and bottom 14 support boards (A) with channels. A center section 20 (B) comprising a vertical panel or a plurality of vertically aligned boards (or combinations thereof) extend between the top and bottom support boards 12, 14, with the top and bottom ends/edges of the center section panel or boards fitting securely within the channels 18. The ends may be affixed by adhesive or other means in the channels. The channels provide protection for the ends from weather and other damage, and result in a rigid structure for the fence section.

The respective ends 50 of the top and bottom support boards 12, 14 may extend beyond the sides of the center section 20 for mounting or attachment to the posts or post covers (such as by insertion into corresponding holes or slots in the posts or post covers), as seen in FIG. 3.

In various embodiments, the center section 20 may comprise one or more layers of vertically aligned panel(s) or board(s). FIG. 2 shows a double layer center section with two center sections 20 a, 20 b (B) mounted to the same top and bottom support boards 12, 14. The cavity or space 30 (C) between the two center sections may be used for a variety of purposes, such as creating a sound resistant barrier (i.e., creating a Sound Transmission Class rated fence assembly). The cavity or space 30 may be left void to dampen sound, or may be filled in whole or in part with foam, insulation, wool, or other sound dampening materials. In other embodiments, the cavity or space may be filled in whole or in part with an insect or pest repellant or similar material, which also may provide sound dampening benefits.

The exterior side or sides of the center sections may be painted, stained, colored, or printed with any desired image or design, including natural or weathered wood or panels. Additional boards 22 or material may be added to add aesthetic appeal, as well as provide additional support for the fence section. The exterior sides of a fence section may match, or may vary. Similarly, where the center section comprises two or more layers, the exterior, outward facing sides of the center sections may be the same as or vary from the inward facing sides (i.e., facing the cavity or space).

Accordingly, the present invention provides an exterior fence with enhanced durability, weather-resistance, fade resistance, sound-dampening, and aesthetics at a lower cost and faster installation as compared to prior art fences and materials.

Thus, it should be understood that the embodiments and examples described herein have been chosen and described in order to best illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited for particular uses contemplated. Even though specific embodiments of this invention have been described, they are not to be taken as exhaustive. There are several variations that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A fence, comprising: at least two posts; at least one fence section extending between said at least two posts, said fence section comprising a top support board with a bottom face with two or more channels, a bottom support board with a top face with two or more channels, and one or more vertical sections with tops inserted into the channels in the top support board, and bottoms inserted into the channels in the bottom support board.
 2. The fence of claim 1, wherein the top support board comprises engineered wood.
 3. The fence of claim 1, wherein the bottom support board comprises engineered wood.
 4. The fence of claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical sections comprise a vertical panel of engineered wood.
 5. The fence of claim 1, wherein the one or more vertical sections comprise a plurality of vertically aligned board of engineered wood.
 6. The fence of claim 1, wherein each post is covered by a post cover comprising engineered wood product in whole or in part.
 7. The fence of claim 1, wherein there are two vertical sections in each fence section.
 8. The fence of claim 7, wherein the vertical sections are spaced to form a cavity therebetween.
 9. The fence of claim 8, wherein the cavity forms a sound resistant barrier.
 10. The fence of claim 8, wherein the cavity is filled in whole or in part with foam, insulation, wool, or other sound dampening material.
 11. The fence of claim 8, wherein the cavity is filled in whole or in part with insect or pet repellant.
 12. The fence of claim 1, wherein exterior faces of the fence section are painted, stained, colored, or printed with an image or design.
 13. The fence of claim 1, wherein the fence section is treated to be weather-resistant, fungus-resistant, insect-resistant, or combinations thereof. 